A Congregational dinner attended by over 200 people launched our commitment to resettle and support several refugee families in our community. Rabbi Laura Abrasley reminded us that our forefather, Abraham welcomed strangers into his tent, and so we too will continue this tradition.
Our featured speakers included a Syrian refugee family telling of their experiences in settling here, as well as a compelling account of the overall situation by Professor Dana Janek of Lasell College. Danny, only ten years old, told of his difficulty transitioning into schools here. Although he relished the reduced amount of homework, he encouraged children meeting newcomers to help them understand how the school functions, and to teach children who do not know English how to speak it. The family had seen their home destroyed, had moved to a small apartment on the fifteenth floor, lost their business, and finally left Syria, making their way to a refugee camp in Jordan. We were fortunate to meet this family and are thrilled to be working with Jewish Family Services of Metrowest and HIAS in the resettling of other refugee families. Please watch your emails and Temple notices for further programs, ways to get involved and help. It is a large and important project that will need all the help it can get – focused thought, funds, and multi-stranded action! Contact us for more information, or to get involved.
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